Imagine being up 3-0 against a Great Britain team. Then wind up losing 4-3 in overtime in that same exact game. Then the cost of losing that game is that you get relegated to D1A.
The question, is how did this happen?
This came as a shock of events as yesterday, Great Britain beat France yesterday with a score of 4-3 in overtime after coming back from losing 3-0. France is ranked #13 in the world according to the IIHF while Great Britain is ranked #22. Even countries like Poland, and Korea are ahead of them. However, Great Britain did avoid relegation to D1A this year. In 2017, they got promoted from D1B to D1A and in 2018, they shocked D1A by getting promoted from it, the year after getting promoted from D1B. In the IIHF this is very rare. This shows the growth of the sport of hockey in Great Britain.
So, now lets get to the actual point. What happened to France?
Well, this year was rough for them. They've been a regular in the World Championship level since 2008. Now, that has changed.
France this year had a much weaker team compared to the previous years. This year they had mainly players from the French league. This might not seem like a bad idea, but trust me. It was for sure a bad idea. There was no Yohann Auvitu this year, or even Stephane Da Costa. These two players are the backbone of the French hockey program, and they were just left out this year. And it cost them big time.
Sure, Auvitu was battling injury problems this year while playing in the KHL but not putting him or Da Costa on the team is an actual sin.
Another French player who should have been on the team this year includes:
Teddy Da Costa
Other French players who should have made the team Include:
Pierre-Edoudard Bellemare (Vegas Golden Knights - NHL)
Louis Boudon (Northeast Generals - NAHL) - Though this player played in the NAHL, he did do good in the IIHF U20 D1A Championships, had 68 points in 55 games playing for the Generals, should have been given a shot.
Antoine Roussel (Vancouver Canucks - NHL)
You guys got beat by Great Britain, great job...
Better luck in two years boys!